Drake's 'Iceman' Album Cover Gets 'MAGA' Makeover by Trump Administration, Sparks Fan Fury
The Trump administration's edited version of Drake's 'Iceman' album cover, featuring a 'MAGA' pendant, has ignited controversy and backlash from fans online.
The Donald Trump administration has stirred controversy by sharing an edited version of Drake’s ‘Iceman’ cover, drawing immediate backlash online.
The Canadian rap star had just surprised fans with the release of three full albums – ‘Habibti’, ‘Maid of Honour’, and ‘Iceman’ – the night before. ‘Iceman’ features 18 tracks including ‘Make Them Cry’ and ‘Whisper My Name’.
Drake Iceman Album Cover
Coinciding with the album releases, the White House shared its own rendition of the ‘Iceman’ artwork on social media. While the original cover features a hand in a Michael Jackson-esque bejeweled glove, the White House version replaced it with a hand holding a chain necklace bearing a “MAGA” pendant.
The caption, “ICED OUT”, amplified the controversy. The post's comment section on X/Twitter quickly filled with criticism. One user lamented, “Government officials partaking in rap/pop culture stuff instead of making this country better”.
Another user agreed, stating, “While families can’t afford groceries or rent [..] you’re memeing rap album covers like a 14yo edgelord on TikTok,” and urged, “Priorities are iced out for sure. Delete this and govern.”
Drake has yet to respond to the White House’s appropriation of his album artwork.
Trump's history of using pop culture and music during campaigns has consistently sparked controversy. In 2016, his rallies featured songs like ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ and ‘Start Me Up’ by The Rolling Stones, prompting them to join Adele, Neil Young, and Steven Tyler in requesting him to stop.
Despite the requests, Trump continued using the music throughout his campaign. After winning the election and being sworn in as US President in 2017, he walked on stage at his inauguration concert to The Rolling Stones’ 1965 song ‘Heart Of Stone’.
More recently, a source close to Mick Jagger refuted claims that he granted permission to use ‘Gimme Shelter’ in the Melania documentary. Producer Marc Beckman had asserted Jagger's approval, contrasting with rejections from Guns N’ Roses, Grace Jones and Prince’s estate.
Beckman told Variety that Jagger “was actually involved” and “gave his blessing”, but a source close to the rock icon told The Guardian that scepticism was required as the producer was attempting to promote the documentary.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for The Rolling Stones also told the newspaper that the band did not liaise with Beckman over the use of the track in the film – the deal was made between the producers and music company ABKCO, which owns the rights to the band’s pre-1971 material.
As aforementioned, The Stones have previously objected to the use of their music in Trump rallies, too, alongside the likes of Prince’s estate, Foo Fighters, ABBA, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, R.E.M, Jack White and Celine Dion.
As for Drake, in January the rapper was accused in court of promoting an allegedly illegal online gambling platform and using proceeds to artificially inflate his streaming numbers, and that month also saw A$AP Rocky release a diss track against him, ‘Don’t Be Dumb’.
The latter seemed to be an apparent response to the 2024 track ‘Family Matters’, which one of the many diss tracks traded in the beef with Kendrick Lamar.
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